U.S. patent number 5,398,022 [Application Number 08/007,663] was granted by the patent office on 1995-03-14 for pager with display illumination.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Uniden America Corporation. Invention is credited to Ronald L. Lipp.
United States Patent |
5,398,022 |
Lipp |
March 14, 1995 |
Pager with display illumination
Abstract
A pager has a display and a selectively activated light for
illuminating the display. The illumination of the display is
accomplished using a minimal number of components thereby reducing
the size and cost requirements of the pager. The method of message
sequencing and the illumination of the pager display is controlled
solely by the pager user through a single switch.
Inventors: |
Lipp; Ronald L. (Grand Prairie,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Uniden America Corporation
(Fort Worth, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
21727465 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/007,663 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/7.52;
340/7.55; 345/102; 345/48 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
5/225 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
5/22 (20060101); G09G 003/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/865.44
;455/38.2,38.4 ;345/48,50,102 ;116/263 ;359/48
;308/84,224,242,10 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
M Goldenberg & E. Fernandez, "Automatic Backlighting Device",
Motorola, Inc. Technical Developments, vol. 16, Aug. 1992, Cover
Sheet, p. 167. .
S. Leonard & J. Dascanio, "Remind Alert", Motorola, Inc.
Technical Developments, vol. 15, May 1992, Cover Sheet, p.
1..
|
Primary Examiner: Horabik; Michael
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A method for illuminating a display of a pager which has at
least one switch which initiates both an operational function of
the pager upon actuation of the switch and display illumination,
the method comprising the steps of:
actuating said switch;
performing said operational function by said pager upon actuation
of said switch, and
illuminating said display of said pager after said switch has been
actuated continuously for a predetermined time period.
2. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 1 wherein said operational function comprises transferring a
message from a memory to said display.
3. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 2 including a step of deactivating the illumination of said
display after a second predetermined time period has elapsed
following said transfer of said message from said memory to said
display.
4. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 1 wherein said predetermined time period is adjustable.
5. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 4 wherein said predetermined time period is selected by
setting switches mounted on said pager.
6. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 4 wherein said predetermined time period is selected by
choosing an option presented by operation of a user program in said
pager.
7. A method for illuminating a display of a pager which has at
least one switch which initiates both an operational function of
the pager and display illumination, the method comprising the steps
of:
actuating said switch;
illuminating said display of said pager after said switch has been
actuated continuously for a predetermined time period, and
performing said operational function by said pager in response to
deactuation of said switch.
8. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 7 wherein said operational function comprises transferring a
message from a memory to said display.
9. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 8 including a step of deactivating the illumination of said
display after a second predetermined time period has elapsed
following said transfer of said message from said memory to said
display.
10. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 7 wherein said predetermined time period is adjustable.
11. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 10 wherein said predetermined time period is selected by
setting switches mounted on said pager.
12. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 10 wherein said predetermined time period is selected by
choosing an option presented by operation of a user program in said
pager.
13. A method for illuminating a display of a pager which has at
least one switch which initiates both an operational function of
the pager and display illumination, the method comprising the steps
of:
actuating said switch;
illuminating said display of said pager after said switch has been
actuated continuously for a predetermined time period, and
initiating performance of said operational function by said pager
after illuminating said display.
14. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 13 wherein said operational function comprises transferring a
message from a memory to said display.
15. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 14 including a step of deactivating the illumination of said
display after a second predetermined time period has elapsed
following said transfer of said message from said memory to said
display.
16. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 13 wherein said predetermined time period is adjustable.
17. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 16 wherein said predetermined time period is selected by
setting switches mounted on said pager.
18. A method for illuminating a display of a pager as recited in
claim 16 wherein said predetermined time period is selected by
choosing an option presented by operation of a user program in said
pager.
19. A method for deactivating the illumination of a display on a
pager which has at least one switch which initiates both an
operational function of the pager and reactivation of illumination
of said display, the method comprising the steps of:
actuating said switch;
deactivating the illumination of said display of said pager after
said switch has been actuated continuously for a predetermined time
period, and
performing said operational function by said pager.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pager display illumination and
pager message sequencing. More particularly, this invention relates
to the illumination of a pager liquid crystal display, or like
display, which is not itself radiant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display paging receivers are widely used for information transfer.
A goal of pager designers is to reduce the size and cost of each
pager while working within the constraint that a pager must
minimize its energy consumption due to limited battery power.
To display received information, pagers typically utilize displays
which are capable of presenting alphanumeric data and messages of
various lengths. In an effort to effectively display information
and meet pager design goals, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is
generally used. The LCD display is utilized because it has
substantial flexibility in the format and presentation of messages,
it is extremely compact, and it consumes very little power.
The LCD display forms letters, symbols, and numerals on the display
by producing contrasts on certain portions of the display screen.
These contrasting portions of the display screen, however, are only
viewable if the display is illuminated by sufficient ambient light,
reflected light, or supplemental backlight provided behind the
display. Messages may be read on the LCD display in a low ambient
light environment only if the pager provides supplemental backlight
illumination to make the contrasting portions of the LCD display
readable.
Various methods for providing supplemental backlight illumination
to the LCD display have been proposed. The simplest method is to
provide a separate switch on the pager which exclusively controls
the illumination of an incandescent lamp or electro-luminescence
backplane under the LCD display. Other methods are known for
automatically activating this type of light or backplane using a
photosensor which monitors the ambient light levels and
automatically activates a light in response to low ambient light
conditions.
These known methods of illuminating a pager display burden the
pager with additional components which increase both the pager size
requirements and the cost of the pager. Therefore, in order to
reduce the size and cost of the pager, it would be desirable to
provide a visual display pager that minimizes the number of
components needed to operate the illumination device.
Additionally, certain illumination display circuits automatically
activate the illumination feature under conditions where the
display is readable or deactivate the illumination feature under
conditions where the display is unreadable. These automatic
illumination features do not respond to the individual pager user's
needs for display illumination. Thus, it would be desirable for
display illumination to be exclusively controlled by the pager
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention controls the illumination of the
LCD display utilizing a switch on the pager which normally controls
pager functions other than display illumination. During normal
operation of these other functions, this switch is actuated for
less than a predetermined time interval. If the pager user
continuously actuates this same switch for more than a
predetermined time period, however, the LCD display will become
illuminated to allow for the viewing of the message display in a
low ambient light environment. Thus, a short duration actuation of
the selected switch will initiate the desired function, while an
extended actuation of this switch will initiate the desired
function as well as illuminate the display.
The message sequence and display switch may be utilized as this
illumination control switch. Under normal message sequencing
operations, the message transfer switch is actuated for less than a
predetermined time period. This same switch may be continuously
actuated for longer than a predetermined time period if the pager
user wishes to illuminate the display and transfer a message to the
display. Thus, a short actuation of the switch will control message
sequencing to the display, while an extended actuation will
illuminate the display and control message transfer to the
display.
The sequencing of messages may be combined with the illumination of
the display by utilizing the message transfer switch as the
selected switch for display illumination. Thus, this invention
provides a low-cost display pager with flexible and efficient
message sequencing through the incorporation of this message
transfer switch with the illumination feature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention which are believed to be
novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The
invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
may be best understood by making reference to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
the several figures of which like reference numerals identify
identical elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention,
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are flow charts illustrating the operation of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are flow charts illustrating the operation
of alternative embodiments of the present invention, and
FIG. 10 is a flow chart which illustrates a pager user interaction
program utilized in setting the delay period in a pager.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference is directed to FIG. 1 which shows a block diagram of a
pager apparatus 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the pager 5 includes an
antenna 15 coupled to a receiver 10. The antenna 15 and receiver 10
enable the pager to receive transmitted coded message signals in a
conventional manner. The coded message signals received by the
pager 5 include selective address and message information well
known in the art.
The receiver 10 transfers the received coded message signals to a
decoder 20. After the receiver 10 provides the received coded
message signal to the decoder 20, a selective address portion of
the coded message is compared to an address held in an address
memory 30. If the selective address portion of the message matches
the address held in memory 30, the pager 5 determines that it has
been addressed by the transmitted coded message signal. The
decoding and address detection sequence may be controlled by
decoder 20 as a discrete circuit or by a microcomputer 40
performing the decode operation. Likewise, the address memory may
be a discrete component (as shown) or may be included within some
portion of the internal memory of microcomputer 40. Microcomputer
40 can be, for example, a model M37410M4, manufactured by
Mitsubishi.
If the pager 5 has been addressed, the coded message signal is
transferred to the microcomputer 40. The microcomputer 40 processes
the coded message signal in order to ascertain the message
transferred to the pager 5. A single message received by the pager
comprises one or more pages of information capable of being
displayed on the pager display in one displayed segment or in
multiple display segments, respectively. The receiving, decoding
and processing of the coded message signals is well known in the
art.
After processing the coded message signal, the message transferred
to the pager 5 may be stored in memory. This memory may reside in
the microcomputer 40 or may be a discrete memory component 47
coupled to the microcomputer 40. It is useful to store all messages
in memory for retrieval and display at a later time.
The messages stored in memory may be retrieved and transferred to a
display 50 in response to operation of a switch 70. Display 50,
preferably a liquid crystal display, is driven by microcomputer 40.
Switch 70 is normally open making no contact with nodes 80 and 90.
Switch 70 is actuated by depressing a button element of switch 70
into connection between nodes 80 and 90. Upon actuation of switch
70 into a closed position, nodes 80 and 90 are placed in electrical
connection with each other thereby providing a ground signal to an
input terminal of microcomputer 40. This signal activates various
retrieval sequencing operations, described below, in microcomputer
40. Switch 70 need not be actuated for an extended period of time
in order to initiate message retrieval and display.
The microcomputer 40 also controls the illumination of a light 60
to aid the backlighting of display 50. Light 60 is preferably an
incandescent low voltage lamp element capable of being activated by
an output from microcomputer 40. The illumination of light 60 is
initiated by microcomputer 40 in response to closure of switch 70
for a period of time greater than the time period needed for
activating other functions of the pager 5. That is, microcomputer
40 illuminates light 60 only if the actuation of switch 70 extends
for more than a predetermined time period. If switch 70 is actuated
for less than the predetermined amount of time, the microcomputer
40 will not illuminate light 60.
Thus, switch 70 is actuated for less than a predetermined time
period to control normal message retrieval from memory and
sequencing to the display 50. When the pager user encounters low
ambient light conditions, the light 60 is illuminated if the switch
70 is actuated for longer than a predetermined time period. Thus,
the activation of light 60 is controlled exclusively by the pager
user because this function is dependent on the time duration of
switch actuation. While other predetermined time periods may be
used, a predetermined time period found most effective in this
application is 1.5 seconds.
The switch 70 which is utilized to illuminate the display 50 may be
a switch used to control any pager function and need not
necessarily control the message retrieval function. The only
prerequisite for the selection of this illumination control switch
is that the other control function operated by the switch must be
activated in response to a switch actuation of less than the
selected predetermined time period.
The method of backlighting the display 50 in the present invention
eliminates the need for photosensors or extra switches on the
pager. The elimination of these additional elements reduces the
cost of the pager. Additionally, the elimination of these extra
elements conserves the pager's circuit board space needed to
support these additional elements. This additional board space may
be eliminated to reduce the size of the pager or may be devoted to
support other functions for the pager.
Pager 5 may optionally include switches 45 which can be used to set
time periods for operation of the pager 5. These switches can set
the delay period for message scrolling. Additionally, similar
switches may be disposed on the pager to control the predetermined
time delay period for light source 60 illumination. The time period
for each switch in the illumination operation may be 1 sec., 1.5
sec., 2.0 sec., 2.5 sec., and 3.0 sec., instead of the time
designations marked in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 2, the display illumination operation of pager 5,
in accordance with the preferred embodiment, is demonstrated. The
operation begins when switch 70 is actuated in step 100. This
switch actuation may be an initial actuation or a subsequent
actuation during the message scrolling and illumination sequence.
Control of the message scrolling and illumination operation is
always transferred to step 100 upon each and every switch
actuation. That is, the control program will fall out of any step
in the set program and transfer control to step 100 whenever a
subsequent switch actuation occurs for reinitiation of the program
sequence.
After switch actuation in step 100, software timers controlled by
microcomputer 40 are reset and the message display mode is
initiated in step 102. After step 102, control is transferred to
steps 120 and 104 simultaneously.
In step 104, if switch actuation is less than 1.5 seconds, control
is transferred to step 106. In step 106, the light conditions are
retained from the previous light condition state. That is, the
light 60 will remain activated if it was previously activated or
will remain deactivated if it was previously deactivated.
If switch actuation continues for a time period greater than 1.5
seconds, control is transferred from step 104 to step 108. In step
108, the status of the light 60 is determined. If the light 60 is
already illuminated, control is transferred from step 108 to step
112 where light conditions are retained. If, however, the light 60
is not already activated as determined in step 108, control is
transferred to step 110 where light 60 is activated.
Although this embodiment utilizes 1.5 seconds as a predetermined
time period, the invention is not specifically restricted to this
time period. The predetermined time of 1.5 seconds is considered a
reasonable amount of time for a pager user to actuate switch 70 in
order to activate a secondary function aside from the primary
function initiated by momentary actuation of switch 70. Other
predetermined times may be used for display illumination.
Further, the microcomputer 40 may be configured to allow a pager
user to set the predetermined time period for activation of the
secondary function and other predetermined time periods. The
setting of predetermined time periods may be accomplished by
initial programming of the microcomputer 40, by setting physical
switches 45 on the pager 5, or by selecting various choices on a
pager user interaction program (see FIG. 10). These predetermined
time periods may be selected to best suit the needs of the
individual pager user.
Referring to FIG. 3, when control is transferred from step 102 to
step 120, the control program determines if a message is being
displayed. If a message is not being displayed, control is
transferred from step 120 to step 124. In step 124, the pager
control program determines whether there are any messages in
memory. If there are no messages in memory, control is transferred
to step 160. If there are messages stored in memory, as determined
in step 124, control of the message display operation is
transferred to step 126. In step 126, the first page of the first
message in memory is sent to the display 50.
Following step 126, control is transferred to step 138. In step
138, the status of the switch 70 is determined. If the switch 70 is
actuated (not released), control will not be transferred from step
138. The message being displayed will be retained on the display 50
until the pager user releases the switch 70. This feature allows
the pager user to suspend the message display operation thereby
holding a message on the display 50 for an indefinite period of
time. This feature allows the pager user time to write down or
otherwise record messages or numbers on the pager display. Control
is transferred to step 140 if the switch 70 has been released
before control is transferred to step 138 or if the switch 70 is
released while in step 138.
An autoscroll sequence is initiated in step 140. In step 140, the
pager 5 initiates a software timer controlled by microcomputer 40.
After step 140, control is transferred to step 142 which determines
when a predetermined time interval has elapsed. In the preferred
embodiment, the time interval for this scrolling sequence is eight
(8) seconds.
This predetermined time interval, however, may be altered or
changed to suit the needs of the pager user. For instance, some
users may chose a twelve (12) second time period while others may
chose a six (6) second time period. This time period may be
adjusted, as described above, by setting physical switches 45 on
the pager 5 or by selecting various choices on a pager user
interaction program (see FIG. 10).
After the eight second time period has elapsed, control is
transferred to step 144. In step 144, the control program
determines if the current page being displayed is the last page of
the current message. If the last page of the current message is
being displayed, control is transferred to step 160. If this page
is not the last page of the current message, control is transferred
from step 144 to step 146. In step 146, the next page of the
current message is sent to the display 50 and control is
transferred to step 140 for reinitiation of the autoscroll
sequence. In this manner, the pages of a multiple page message will
be scrolled automatically until all pages of the message have been
scrolled or a subsequent switch actuation occurs. If a subsequent
switch actuation occurs during the autoscroll sequence, control is
transferred back to step 100 where the message transfer and
illumination steps are reinitiated.
Referring back to step 120, if there is a message being displayed
on the display 50, control is transferred to step 122. In step 122,
the pager control program determines whether the message being
displayed is a multiple page message. If the message being
displayed is not a multiple page message, control is transferred to
step 128. In step 128, the pager determines whether the message
being displayed is the last message held in memory. If the message
being displayed is the last message held in memory, control is
transferred from step 128 to step 160.
If the message being displayed is not the last message in memory to
be transferred to the display 50, control is transferred from step
128 to step 132. In step 132, the first page of the next message in
memory is transferred to the display. After the first page of the
next message in memory has been transferred to the display 50 in
step 132, control is transferred to step 138 for the switch release
determination and subsequently to step 140 where the autoscroll
sequence is initiated.
Referring back to step 122, if a multiple page message is being
displayed, control is transferred to step 130. Step 130 determines
whether the current page of the message being displayed is the last
page of that message in memory. If the current page of the message
being displayed is the last page of this message, control is
transferred to step 135. In step 135, the control program
determines if the message being displayed is the last message
stored in memory to be transferred to the display 50. If so,
control is transferred to step 160.
If the message being displayed is not the last message to be
retrieved from memory, control is transferred from step 135 to step
136. In step 136, the first page of the next message in memory is
transferred to the display 50. After step 136, control is
transferred to step 138 for the switch release determination and
then to step 140 for initiation of the autoscroll function.
Referring back to step 130, if the current page of the message
being displayed is not the last page of the this message, control
is transferred to step 134. In step 134, the next page of the
message being displayed is transferred to the display 50. After the
operation of step 134, control is transferred to step 138 for the
switch release determination and then to step 140 for operation of
the autoscroll feature.
The pager user can also manually scroll each page of a multiple
page message or each message stored in memory by repeatedly
actuating the switch 70 to transfer control to step 100. That is,
if the message display routine is already initiated, a subsequent
switch actuation will always transfer control back to step 100. If
multiple messages or multiple pages of messages are stored in
memory upon this subsequent switch actuation, control is
transferred from step 100 to step 102 and through steps 120 and
122. By transferring control through steps 120 and 122, a switch
actuation after a message is being displayed will accomplish one of
the following: 1) scroll the next page of the current message to
the display; 2) scroll the next message in memory to the display
(last page of current message must already be displayed); or 3)
exit the scrolling process (last page of last message must already
be displayed). Thus, if a message is being displayed when a
subsequent switch 70 actuation occurs (not the last page of the
last message), the next page of the displayed message or the first
page of the next message will be manually scrolled and thereby
shown on the display 50.
Thus, the pager user can choose either automatic or manual
scrolling of multiple page messages by choosing the number of
switch actuations during message retrieval operation. As shown in
FIG. 2, if a multiple page message is retrieved from memory, each
page of the multiple page message may be scrolled automatically
utilizing the autoscroll feature beginning at step 140. No
subsequent switch actuations are necessary to scroll each page of a
multiple page message because of the automatic time lapse scrolling
process. Alternatively, subsequent switch actuations manually
scroll the next pages of a message.
A subsequent switch actuation when the last page of the current
multiple page message is displayed will also initiate the display
of the next message in memory to display 50. A subsequent switch
actuation is necessary in the embodiment of FIG. 2 in order to
scroll the next message stored in memory to the display 50. Thus,
this embodiment of the invention allows for automatic and manual
scrolling of message pages to the display, the suspension of the
scrolling process through the use of an extended switch actuation
in step 138, and the manual scrolling of messages stored in memory
to display 50 through subsequent switch actuations.
In FIG. 4, when no messages are stored in memory, operation is
transferred from step 124 of FIG. 3 to step 160. Control may also
be transferred to step 160 after operation of step 128, step 135
(when last message in memory is displayed) or step 144 (when last
page of current message is displayed). Step 160 clears the screen
of all data or messages. After step 160, control is transferred to
step 161. Step 161 determines whether the light 60 is activated. If
light 60 has not been activated, control is transferred to step 170
where the non-message display mode is initiated. The non-message
display mode includes displaying a standby indicator message
relating some type of status indicator message on the display, such
as messages received, messages stored, messages protected, or
unread messages.
If light 60 has been activated before step 161, control is
transferred from step 161 to step 162 where a two second light off
timer is initiated. Following step 162, control is transferred to
step 166 where the pager determines when the two second time period
has elapsed. After the two second timer has elapsed in step 166,
control is transferred to step 168 where the light 60 is
deactivated. After deactivation of light 60 in step 168, control is
transferred to step 170 where the non-message display mode is
initiated.
In this manner, after control is transferred to step 160, the light
will be deactivated automatically after the two second time period
elapses in step 166. This two second interval will allow the pager
user to recognize the clear screen on the display. The light
deactivation will occur unless a subsequent switch actuation occurs
within this two second interval. If switch 70 is actuated within
this two second interval, the light illumination display conditions
will be retained.
This retention of illumination condition can be shown by referring
back to FIG. 2. When the switch 70 is actuated during this two
second interval in FIG. 4, control is transferred through steps
100, 102 and 104 in FIG. 2. If the subsequent switch actuation
occurs for less than 1.5 seconds, control is transferred to step
106 where the pager will not change light conditions. If this
subsequent switch actuation continues for longer than 1.5 seconds,
control is transferred through step 108 to step 112 where the light
conditions are retained from the previous condition. Thus, any
switch actuation for any length of time during the two-second
interval of step 166 in FIG. 4 will keep the lights activated.
Otherwise, the lights will be deactivated after control is
transferred from step 166 to step 168.
An alternative embodiment to that shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated in
FIG. 5. The operation described in FIG. 5 allows for manual
deactivation of the light 60 in conjunction with the automatic
light deactivation of FIG. 4. During the message scrolling process,
if the switch 70 is actuated, control is transferred from step 100
to step 102 and then to steps 204 and 120 simultaneously. In step
120 (not shown in FIG. 5), the scrolling process is controlled as
previously described (refer to FIG. 3 for the operation of step 120
and subsequent steps). After control is transferred from step 102
to step 204, the length of time for the switch 70 actuation is
determined. If switch actuation is less than 1.5 seconds, control
is transferred to step 206 where light conditions are retained from
the previous light conditions. If the switch 70 actuation time is
determined to be greater than 1.5 seconds in step 204, control is
transferred to step 208 where the condition of the light is
determined. If the light is not activated, control is transferred
from step 208 to step 210 where the light is turned on. If the
light 60 is already activated in step 208, control is transferred
to step 212 where the light 60 is turned off.
In this manner, both activation and deactivation of light 60 are
controlled by the length of time that switch 70 is closed. Light
activation is controlled by an initial extended time switch
actuation while light deactivation is controlled by a subsequent
extended time switch actuation.
This embodiment is useful when the light environment changes from
low to high ambient light intensity. The illumination of the
display is no longer necessary in such a situation. In this
situation, and with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the pager user
would have to terminate the message transfer sequence in order to
deactivate the light. Otherwise, the light would remain activated
during the entire message display sequence when it is no longer
needed, thereby placing an unnecessary drain on battery power. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the pager user can manually
deactivate the light by actuating the switch 70 for an extended
time instead of terminating the message display sequence or wasting
battery power. Thus, a subsequent switch actuation for more than a
predetermined time period allows the pager user to deactivate the
light without interrupting the message sequencing operation.
Additionally, the pager user can conserve battery power by not
using the illumination circuit when illumination is no longer
necessary.
In FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment to the multiple page scrolling
process in FIG. 3 is disclosed. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6
provides autoscrolling of multiple page messages as well as
autoscrolling for multiple messages stored in memory. No subsequent
switch actuations are necessary in this embodiment to display the
next message stored in memory (as in the embodiment disclosed in
FIG. 3). Upon each switch actuation, control is transferred from
step 100 to step 102 and then to step 220 where the control program
determines if a message is being displayed. If no messages are
being displayed, control is transferred to step 224 to determine if
there are messages stored in memory. If no messages are stored in
memory, control is transferred to step 160 (FIG. 4) for the clear
message display.
Referring back to step 224, if messages are stored in memory,
control is transferred from step 224 to step 226 where the first
page of the first message in memory is sent to the display 50.
After step 226, control is transferred to step 238. Step 238 is
identical to the step 138 switch release determination (see FIG.
3).
After step 238, control is transferred to step 240. Step 240
initiates a multiple page autoscroll sequence in addition to
initiation of a multiple message autoscroll sequence. After control
is transferred to step 240, an eight second timer is started.
Control is then transferred to step 242 to determine when the eight
second time period has elapsed. If an eight second time period
elapses without a subsequent switch actuation, control is
transferred from step 242 to step 244 to determine whether the last
page of the current message is being displayed. As noted above, if
a subsequent switch actuation occurs at any point during the
program sequence (including the autoscroll sequence), control is
transferred to step 100 where the message transfer and illumination
features are reinitiated.
If the current page of the message being displayed is not the last
page of this message, control is transferred to step 246 where the
next page of that message is transferred to the display 50. After
this step, control is transferred to step 240 where the eight
second timer is reinitiated. In this manner, all the pages of a
multiple page message are scrolled automatically on a timed basis
until the last page is displayed or a subsequent switch actuation
occurs.
In step 244, if the current page of the message being displayed is
the last page of the current message, control is transferred from
step 244 to step 228. In step 228, it is determined whether the
message being displayed is the last message held in memory. If the
message being displayed is the last message held in memory, control
is transferred from step 228 to step 160 (FIG. 4) for initiation of
the clear message display.
If the message being displayed is not the last message held in
memory, control is transferred from step 228 to step 232 where the
first page of the next message held in memory is transferred to the
display 50. After the first page of the next message is transferred
to the display 50 by step 232, control is transferred to step 238
for the switch release determination and then to step 240 for the
autoscroll operation.
In this manner, multiple page messages can be automatically
scrolled by the transfer of control from step 244 to step 240 and
multiple messages can be automatically scrolled by the transfer of
control from step 244 to step 228. This automatic scrolling
sequence requires only a single switch actuation to initiate the
sequencing process of all pages of all messages. Thus, after a
single switch actuation, the timed multiple page autoscroll feature
will automatically scroll each page of a multiple page message on a
time sequence basis and the multiple message autoscroll feature
will automatically scroll each message in memory on a time sequence
basis. All pages of all messages will be viewed with this method
unless a subsequent switch actuation occurs.
If a subsequent switch actuation occurs during any step of the
message sequence process, the control program will transfer control
to step 100 and reinitiate the message sequencing process beginning
with the next page of the message being displayed, the next message
if the last page of the current message is being displayed, or
ending the message sequence if the last page of the last message is
being displayed.
If such a subsequent switch actuation occurs during this autoscroll
sequence, control is transferred from step 100 to step 102 and then
to step 220, where the control program determines whether there is
a current message being displayed. If the control transfer to step
220 occurs during a message display due to a subsequent switch
actuation, control is transferred from step 220 to step 222. In
step 222, the control program determines whether the current
message being displayed is a multiple page message. If the current
message being displayed is not a multiple page message, control is
transferred from step 222 to step 228. The operation of step 228
and subsequent steps is described above.
Referring back to step 222, if the current message being displayed
is a multiple page message, control is transferred from step 222 to
step 230. In step 230, the control program determines whether the
current message being displayed is the last page of this current
message. If the current page being displayed is the last page of
this multiple page message, control is transferred from step 230 to
step 235 where the control program determines if the current
message is the last message held in memory. If so, control is
transferred to step 160 for the clear message display. In step 235,
if the displayed message is not the last message held in memory,
control is transferred to step 236 where the first page of the next
message in memory is transferred to the display. After step 236,
control is transferred to step 238 for the switch release
determination and then to step 240 for the autoscroll sequence
initiation.
Referring to step 230, if the current page of the message being
displayed is not the last page of this message, control is
transferred to step 234. In step 234, the next page of the current
multiple page message is transferred to the display 50. After
operation of step 234, control is transferred to step 238 for the
released switch determination and then to step 240 for the timed
autoscroll initiation. When a subsequent switch actuation occurs in
FIG. 6, it is the control transfer through step 222 that allows for
manual scrolling of messages to the display.
In FIG. 6, it can be seen that the scrolling of all pages in both
multiple page messages and multiple messages may be accomplished
either automatically by the timed autoscroll method or manually by
the actuation of switch 70. If a subsequent switch actuation occurs
at any point during the message scrolling sequence, control is
transferred to step 100 where the message transfer and illumination
features are reinitiated. If no subsequent switch actuation occurs
after an initial actuation of switch 70, all pages of a multiple
page message and all messages in memory will be scrolled on a time
sequence basis to the display 50.
A subsequent switch actuation during the autoscroll feature will
accomplish one of the following: (1) the next page of a multiple
page message will be transferred to the display (step 234); (2) the
next message stored in memory will be transferred to the display
(steps 232 or 236); or (3) the scrolling process will cease due to
the transfer of the last page of the last message held in memory
(steps 228 (no branch) or 235 (yes branch)). Thus, multiple
messages and multiple page messages may be displayed by multiple
switch actuations of switch 70 or by a single switch actuation
utilized in conjunction with the timed autoscroll feature.
Referring to FIG. 7, a canned message feature is added to the steps
described in FIG. 6. As described above, control is transferred to
steps 100 upon every switch actuation. The illumination feature
embodiments are initiated as described above (see FIGS. 2 or 4).
After step 100 and then step 102, control is transferred to step
320 where the pager control program determines whether there is a
message being displayed. If there is no message being displayed,
control is transferred from step 320 to step 324. In step 324, the
control program determines whether there are messages in memory. If
there are no messages in memory, control is transferred from step
324 to step 325 where a canned message is displayed. Typically, a
canned message may indicate that there are no messages received or
no messages being stored in memory. Such a canned message may
indicate a code message recognized by the pager user to indicate
the particular status such as "ZERO CALL" or "NO CALL."
After the canned message is sent to the display 50 in step 325,
control is transferred to step 338 for the released switch
determination described above as step 128. Subsequent to step 338,
control is transferred to step 340 where the elapsed time
autoscroll feature is initiated. In step 340, an eight second timer
is started. Control is transferred from 340 to 342 where the eight
second time period is determined to be elapsed. After the eight
second time period is elapsed, control is transferred from step 342
to step 344. In step 344, the control program determines if the
message being displayed is the last page of the current message
being displayed or a canned message.
If the message being displayed is neither the last page of the
current message nor a canned message, control is transferred from
step 344 to step 346 where the next page of the current message
being displayed is transferred to the display. After the next page
of the current message is transferred to the display in step 346,
control is transferred back to step 340 where the eight second
timer is reinitiated. These steps will continue until the last page
of the multiple page message is displayed or a switch actuation
occurs.
If a canned message or the last page of the multiple page message
is displayed in step 344, control is transferred to step 328. In
step 328, the control program determines if the message being
displayed is the last message held in memory or a canned message
display. If the message being displayed is the last message held in
memory or a canned message, control is transferred from step 328 to
step 160 (FIG. 4) for the clear message display.
If it is determined that the message being displayed is neither the
last message held in memory nor a canned message in step 328,
control is transferred to step 332 where the first page of the next
message held in memory is displayed. After the first page of the
next message is transferred to the display, control is transferred
to step 338 for the switch release determination and then to step
340 for initiation of the timed autoscroll feature as described
above.
Upon transfer of control to step 320, the control program
determines if there is a current message being displayed. If there
is no message being displayed, control is transferred to step 324.
In step 324, the control program determines whether there are
messages stored in memory. If there are messages in memory, step
324 transfers control to step 326 where the first page of the first
message held in memory is transferred to the display 50. After the
first page of this message has been transferred to the display,
control is transferred to step 338 for the switch release
determination and then to step 340 for the initiation of the timed
autoscroll feature.
After control is transferred to step 320, the control program
determines if there is a message being displayed on the display. If
there is a message being displayed, control is transferred from
step 320 to step 322 where the control program determines if the
current message being displayed is a multiple page message. If the
current message being displayed is not multiple page message,
control is transferred from step 322 to step 328. The operation of
step 328 and subsequent steps is described above.
If the message being displayed is a multiple page message, control
is transferred from step 322 to step 330. In step 330, the control
program determines if the current multiple page message being
displayed is the last page of this message. If the current page of
the message being displayed is not the last page of this message,
control is transferred from 330 to 334 where the next page of the
current multiple page message is transferred to the display. If the
current page of the message being displayed is the last page of
this message, control is transferred from step 330 to step 335
where the control program determines if this is the last message
held in memory. If so, control is transferred to step 160 for the
clear message display.
If the message being displayed is not the last message held in
memory in step 335, control is transferred to step 336 where the
first page of the next message held in memory is transferred to the
display. After the operation of either step 334 or step 336,
control is transferred to step 338 for the switch release
determination and then to step 340 for the initiation of the timed
autoscroll sequence. As disclosed earlier, any subsequent switch
actuation during the message scrolling process will transfer
control to steps 100 and 102 for reinitiation of the message
display sequence utilizing the next page of the multiple page
message being displayed, the next message stored in memory (if the
last page of the current message is being displayed), or
termination of the message display sequence (if the last page of
the last message in memory or a canned message is already being
displayed). In this manner, the operation of FIG. 7 is almost
identical to the operation of FIG. 6 except for addition of the
canned message feature and the modifications to the operation
necessary to support this additional feature.
Alternative embodiments for the activation of the light 60 for the
display 50 are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, a switch 70
actuation is detected in step 400. After step 400, control is
transferred to step 402 where the current condition of the switch
70 is determined. If the switch is released as determined by step
402, control is transferred to step 415 where the message display
operation is initiated. Message display operation beginning at step
415 is identical to any of the above described message display
embodiments described from FIGS. 3, 6 or 7.
If the switch 70 is still actuated in step 402, control is
transferred to step 404 where the time duration of the switch 70
activation is determined. If switch 70 has been actuated for less
than 1.5 seconds, control is transferred from step 404 back to step
402 where the current condition of the switch 70 is determined. If
the switch 70 activation is greater than 1.5 seconds, control is
transferred from step 404 to step 408 where the current condition
of the light 60 for the display 50 is determined. If the light 60
has already been activated, step 408 transfers control to step 412
where no change in the light source condition is made. After step
412, control is transferred to step 402 where the condition of the
message transfer switch 70 is determined.
In step 408, control is transferred to step 410 if the light 60 is
not activated. In step 410, the light 60 is activated thereby
illuminating the display 50. After step 410, control is transferred
back to step 402 where the current condition of the message switch
70 is determined.
After the switch 70 is released, step 402 transfers control to step
415 where the message display routine is initiated and the timers
are reset. The message display routine after step 415 is identical
to those message display routines previously described in the above
embodiments. (See FIGS. 3, 6 or 7.) By structuring the command
sequence in this manner, the pager 5 detects switch 70 actuations
which continue for a time period greater than 1.5 seconds and alter
the light conditions in response to such switch 70 actuation.
Additionally, the message display routine will only be initiated
after switch 70 is released.
In FIG. 9, the switch 70 actuation is detected in step 500. After
step 500, control is transferred to step 502 where the condition of
the message transfer switch 70 is determined. If the switch 70 is
no longer actuated, control is transferred from step 502 to step
515 where one of the message display operations previously
described is initiated thereafter. (See FIGS. 3, 6 or 7.)
If the switch 70 is still actuated in step 502, control is
transferred to step 504. In step 504, the pager determines whether
the switch 70 actuation is greater than 1.5 seconds. If the switch
70 actuation time is not greater than 1.5 seconds, control is
transferred from step 504 to step 502 where the condition of the
switch 70 is determined. If the switch 70 actuation is greater than
1.5 seconds, step 504 transfers control to step 508 where the
current condition of the light 60 is determined. If the light 60 is
activated, control is transferred from step 508 to step 512 where
the light 60 is deactivated or turned "off." If the light 60 is not
already activated in step 508, control is transferred to step 510
where the light 60 is activated or turned "on."
After steps 512 or 510, control is transferred to step 515 where
the message display operation is initiated immediately thereafter.
This message display operation is identical to the message display
operations of the embodiments described above. (See FIGS. 3, 6 or
7.) In this manner, the display operation begins after a
predetermined time period elapses with the switch 70 being
continuously actuated. There is no need to de-actuate, (or release)
the switch in order to begin the message display operation in this
embodiment. Thus, no switch deactuation is necessary to begin the
message transfer sequence as with the embodiment disclosed in FIG.
8.
Again, the 1.5 second interval utilized in steps 404 and 504 on
FIGS. 8 and 9 can be adjusted to accommodate an individual pager
user's needs. This adjustment may be manually set on certain
switches 45 provided on the pager 5 or set by selecting
alternatives in a pager user selection program.
In FIG. 10, a pager user interaction program flow chart is shown.
This interaction program allows the pager user to set specified
delay periods needed in the message sequencing and illumination
programs. Beginning at step 900, control is transferred to step 910
where an inquiry is made as to whether the pager user would like to
change delay periods. At step 910, if the pager user selects the NO
answer, control is transferred to step 950 where the interaction
program ends. If the pager user selects the YES answer from step
910, control is transferred to step 920.
In step 920, the pager user interaction program inquires whether
the pager user would like to change the delay period for the
illumination delay. This delay period is the time period of
continuous actuation of switch 70 necessary to activate the
illumination of light 60. If the pager user selects the YES answer
from step 920, control is transferred to step 925 where the pager
user interaction program makes the inquiry whether the pager user
wants a delay period greater than 1.5 seconds. If the pager user
selects the NO answer, control is transferred from step 925 to step
927 where the delay period is set at 1.0 seconds. If the pager user
selects the YES answer in step 925, control is transferred to step
928 where the delay period is set at 2.0 seconds.
If the pager user selects the NO answer in step 920, control is
transferred to step 930 where the pager user interaction program
inquires if the pager user would like to change the delay period
for the scrolling of messages and pages of messages. This delay
period is usually eight seconds and occurs in the automatic
scrolling of messages, or pages of messages, from the memory to the
display 50. If the pager user selects the YES answer in step 930,
control is transferred to step 935, where the pager user
interaction program inquires if the pager user wants a delay period
of greater than 8.0 seconds. If the pager user selects the YES
answer in step 935, control is transferred to step 938 where the
delay period is set at 12.0 seconds. If the pager user selects the
NO answer in step 935, control is transferred to step 937 where the
delay period is set at 6.0 seconds.
In step 930, if the pager user selects the NO answer, control is
transferred to step 940 where the pager user interaction program
inquires if the pager user would like to change the delay period
for the light deactivation. If the pager user selects the NO answer
in step 940, control is transferred to step 950 where the pager
user interaction program ends. If the pager user selects the YES
answer in step 940, control is transferred to step 945 where the
pager user interaction program inquires if the pager user wants a
delay period for light deactivation of greater than 2.0 seconds.
This light deactivation period is the delay period following the
transfer of the last message (sometimes the last page of the last
message or the canned message) to the display before light 60 is
deactivated. Usually this delay period is set at 2.0 seconds. If
the pager user selects the NO answer in step 945, control is
transferred to step 948 where this delay period is set at 1.0
seconds. If the pager user selects the YES answer in step 945,
control is transferred to step 947 where this delay period is set
at 3.0 seconds.
It is understood that this pager user interaction program may be
modified slightly to accommodate for different time period
selections and different delay periods utilized within the present
invention.
In summary, the present invention provides a display pager which
activates a light 60 in response to the actuation of switch 70 for
a predetermined time period. The present invention also provides
for automatic and manual scrolling of multiple page messages and
multiple messages stored in memory. The above features are
accomplished through the coordination of switch 70 actuation and
time sequence automated control. The illumination of the display
and the scrolling of messages is accomplished with less components
than previously needed in modern pagers thereby reducing cost,
size, and circuit complexity. Additionally, the message sequencing
process provides greater flexibility in message display operations
of pagers.
This invention has been described with various references to the
illustrated embodiments. It is not intended that this description
be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention. It is
contemplated that the appended claims will cover any modifications
and embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
* * * * *